1 Most gripping Premiership final ever
The Premiership has known some staggering finales but never such a roller-coaster of emotions. Chiefs looked to have taken control when they led 14-3 after just 28 minutes; for Wasps to respond with 17 unanswered points was remarkable. Exeter’s storming response, with Wasps’ having to repel a 34-phase attack at a crucial juncture of the second half, also summed up both sides’ unbelievable resolve and collective spirit. Extra-time, with both sides on their last legs, was almost too tense to watch even before Gareth Steenson’s clinching penalty. A place-kicking contest would have been horrendous.
2 Exeter are clever chameleons
Stamina and nerve were ultimately the keys but people do not always appreciate how tactically savvy Exeter are. They are still widely perceived as a side who throw the ball around but their set-piece, driving maul and physicality now wins them as many matches. Their opening try was a perfect illustration. Wasps would have been anticipating a trademark wraparound play off the lineout; instead Luke Cowan-Dickie turned the ball back inside to his unstoppable fellow Cornishman Jack Nowell. Slick, crafty and effective. These Chiefs are far more than just wholehearted triers.
3 Big occasions can scramble minds
Even the most talented players are not immune to Cup final jitters. Danny Cipriani kicked out on the full and failed to find a penalty touch before settling down to oil the wheels of Wasps’ free-running midfield. Even Jimmy Gopperth, the Premiership’s player of the year, went to kick the ball, changed his mind and ended up throwing it straight on the floor with no one around him. Henry Slade, rightly lauded for his wonderful long touch-finder in the semi-final against Saracens, tried the same trick again and fatally overcooked it. It was not all down to the stiff breeze.
4 Lions pointers
When the British and Irish Lions fly out on Monday Nowell and Elliot Daly may need assistance climbing up the plane steps after this 100-minute marathon. Both, at least, are in excellent form, having scored a try apiece and shown why they will be strong contenders for Test places in New Zealand; Nowell for his ability to break tackles on the gainline and pop up anywhere, Daly for his pace and all-round footballing qualities. James Haskell, in for the injured Billy Vunipola, was as inexhaustible as always but a couple of times the ball reached him and failed to go further with Wasps in prime attacking positions.
5 Cup finals show rugby’s true colours
Wasps finished on top of the regular season Premiership table ahead of Exeter but on glorious days like this it is impossible to argue for a return to the first-past-the-post system for determining the champion team. A sun-splashed grand final, enthralled kids, a genuine sense of occasion and rival supporters sitting side by side united in friendly rivalry. Professional sport can still be tribal without losing its sense of humour or perspective; in many ways the club grand final is a more accurate reflection of English rugby than any Twickenham international.
